SUN DEVIL DATA
Saw action in 20 games in his freshman season (2009-10) and was 15-of-29 (.517) from the floor and played in 30 games in sophomore season (2010-11) and started in eight. Became only the third listed 7-0 player in ASU history (Alton Lister and Tyson Johnston are the others) before Jordan Bachynski joined the club in the fall of 2010. Played for Kevin Sutton at the Montverde Academy in Florida, which has produced a steady stream of Division I players. Signed National Letter of Intent on Nov. 12, 2008, along with Montverde teammates Rob Chubb (Auburn) and Nick Diatta (Towson)...played in all but one game and had back-to-back 10-point games on Jan. 1 (at Oregon) and vs. Stanford (Jan. 6) in his sophomore season.

FRESHMAN SEASON (2009-10)
Posted eight games of double digit minutes on the year in his freshman season. Had season high of nine points in the season opener (Nov. 13) vs. Western Illinois. Did post 13 blocks, including four vs. No. 24 Washington on Jan. 8.

FROM BOB GIBBONS
Noted recruiting expert Bob Gibbons selected Ruslan as one of his five "sleeper" recruits after the fall signing period. Gibbons took note of Pateev at the 2007 City of Palms Classic in Florida and at the 2008 NBPA Top 100 camp, where Gibbons noted he "arguably had the best hands and most accurate shooting touch of any big man."

SAYS COACH SENDEK
"Ruslan brings great size and an outstanding skill set. He is efficient around the basket and can knock down jumpers and will add toughness and a defensive presence to the floor. We are very excited to have him as part of our program."

MONTVERDE ACADEMY
Averaged 10 points and 10 boards along with four blocks in his junior season and eight points and six boards in senior season for a team that won 27 games.

THE 6-11 CLUB
Not many players are 6-11, let alone 7-0. Below is a list of Sun Devils who have been listed at 6-11 or taller starting with Robert Edwards in the late 1960s.

GETTING TO KNOW RUSLANMy toughest loss: Against Spain in triple overtime in final game of European Championship.I chose my jersey number because: I have played my whole life with this number.Favorite place to play: Wells Fargo ArenaTop three songs on my iPod: Empire State of Mind by Jay-Z; Sweat it Out by The Dream; This Life I Lead by 2PacBest piece of advice: Practice hard everyday because right now someone else is.Favorite place to visit: MoscowFavorite music: Hip-HopFavorite pizza topping: PineappleFavorite quote: Give 100 percent in everything you do.Idol growing up: MotherFavorite restaurant in Arizona: IHopBest-dressed teammate: Ruslan PateevSomething that most people don't know about me: I have a twin sister.